Facebook Messenger app brings free voice calling to U.S. iPhone users

Facebook (FB) began testing a new and important feature for Canadian iPhone users earlier this month — it updated its Messenger application to allow users to make free calls over a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. The feature unearthed new competition between Facebook and rivals Google (GOOG) and Microsoft (MSFT), both of which operate their own VoIP services. It was assumed at the time that if testing went well up north the company would bring the feature to Europe and the United States, and Facebook confirmed to The Verge on Wednesday that free voice calling is now rolling out to U.S. iPhone users. You can make a free call by selecting a friend’s name in the Facebook Messenger app, then tapping the “i” button and choosing the “Make free call” option.